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Modern Chairs

MODERN STYLE

The late 19th and early 20th centuries saw sweeping social change and major scientific advances — both of which contributed to a new aesthetic: modernism. Rejecting the rigidity of Victorian artistic conventions, modernists sought a new means of expression. References to the natural world and ornate classical embellishments gave way to the sleek simplicity of the Machine Age. Architect Philip Johnson characterized the hallmarks of modernism as “machine-like simplicity, smoothness or surface [and] avoidance of ornament.”

Early practitioners of modernist design include the De Stijl (“The Style”) group, founded in the Netherlands in 1917, and the Bauhaus School, founded two years later in Germany.

Followers of both groups produced sleek, spare designs — many of which became icons of daily life in the 20th century. The modernists rejected both natural and historical references and relied primarily on industrial materials such as metal, glass, plywood, and, later, plastics. While Bauhaus principals Marcel Breuer and Ludwig Mies van der Rohe created furniture from mass-produced, chrome-plated steel, American visionaries like Charles and Ray Eames worked in materials as novel as molded plywood and fiberglass. Today, Breuer’s Wassily chair, Mies van der Rohe’s Barcelona chaircrafted with his romantic partner, designer Lilly Reich — and the Eames lounge chair are emblems of progressive design and vintage originals are prized cornerstones of collections.

It’s difficult to overstate the influence that modernism continues to wield over designers and architects — and equally difficult to overstate how revolutionary it was when it first appeared a century ago. But because modernist furniture designs are so simple, they can blend in seamlessly with just about any type of décor. Don’t overlook them.

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Style: Modern
Number in Set: Set of 8
The Walky Chair by Design VA . Ebonized Oak & Bronze
Located in Brooklyn, NY
The story of Walky began with the words “Café Bistro,” specifically to the classic image of a charming café on the Champs Elysées in Paris. The aroma of an exquisite coffee accompani...
Category

2010s Mexican Modern Chairs

Materials

Bronze

Modern Mary Dining Chairs, Beige Velvet Leather, Handmade Portugal by Greenapple
Located in Lisboa, PT
Mary Chair, Contemporary Collection, Handcrafted in Portugal - Europe by Greenapple. Designed by Rute Martins for the Contemporary Collection, the Mary lea...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Chairs

Materials

Brass

Bold Dining Chair - Azimut 100
Located in Milano, Lombardia
A testament to a new level of modern design, The Bold Dining Chair seamlessly blends form and function, elevating any dining experience with its refined elegance. Decades of design ...
Category

2010s Italian Modern Chairs

Materials

Velvet

Kartell Spoon Stool in White by Antonio Citterio & Toan Nguyen
Located in Brooklyn, NY
An original stool whose shape is as elastic in appearance as it is in function. The innovation of Spoon consists mainly in attaching the seat to a central support with a specially re...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Chairs

Materials

Plastic

Bold Dining Chair - Azimut 102
Located in Milano, Lombardia
A testament to a new level of modern design, The Bold Dining Chair seamlessly blends form and function, elevating any dining experience with its refined elegance. Decades of design ...
Category

2010s Italian Modern Chairs

Materials

Velvet

Modern De Castro Dining Chairs, Camel Velvet, Handmade in Portugal by Greenapple
Located in Lisboa, PT
De Castro Chair, Modern Collection, Handcrafted in Portugal - Europe by GF Modern. The De Castro dining chair is a tribute to one of the most remarkable Portuguese love stories, cel...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Chairs

Materials

Brass

Pair of Chic 'Méandre' Bronze Chairs by Design Frères
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Pair of Méandre™ dark bronze side chairs by DESIGN FRÈRES®. Chic and understated.
Category

21st Century and Contemporary French Modern Chairs

Materials

Steel

The Walky Chair by Design VA . Ebonized Oak & Aluminum
Located in Brooklyn, NY
The story of Walky began with the words “Café Bistro,” specifically to the classic image of a charming café on the Champs Elysées in Paris. The aroma of an exquisite coffee accompani...
Category

2010s Mexican Modern Chairs

Materials

Aluminum

Arches Dining Chair, Brass & COM, InsidherLand by Joana Santos Barbosa
Located in Maia, Porto
Best Chair Design at the International Design & Architecture Awards 2021 Honorable Mention at the European Product Design Awards 2021 The Arches dining chair...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Chairs

Materials

Brass

Mawu Chair Printed
Located in Paris, FR
Original chair in golden oak, satin finish, flared legs. * Production lead time from 12 to 14 weeks. * Customize the fabric and dimensions of your chair.
Category

2010s French Modern Chairs

Materials

Fabric, Satin, Oak

Set of 2, Nana Wooden Dining Chair with Back Detail, No:2
By LAGU
Located in İSTANBUL, TR
Lagu values and cherishes local production, bringing together the artisanal crafts of boutique producers and user-friendly quality designs in the 'Lagu Selection'. The elegant piece...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Turkish Modern Chairs

Materials

Upholstery, Foam, Beech

The Walky Chair by Design VA . Maple & Walnut
Located in Brooklyn, NY
The story of Walky began with the words “Café Bistro,” specifically to the classic image of a charming café on the Champs Elysées in Paris. The aroma of an exquisite coffee accompani...
Category

2010s Mexican Modern Chairs

Materials

Maple, Walnut

Contemporary Felix carver Chair in Yellow Mohair with Solid Walnut Legs
Located in Trowbridge, Wiltshire
The Felix Fluted Chair is our new take on our Felix Carver Chair, with its stunning fluted back adding a touch of elegance. Shown here upholstered in Alt...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary English Modern Chairs

Materials

Walnut, Mohair

Arper Catifa 53 Chairs - Tan Leather with Steel Base and Arms - 10 Available
Located in Los Angeles, CA
10 Available (Sold individually). Retail $1,971 plus tax each. Buy now with no lead time. Top of the line custom made Catina 53 chairs made by Arper in Italy. They have steel ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Chairs

Materials

Chrome

Bold Dining Chair - Azimut 104
Located in Milano, Lombardia
A testament to a new level of modern design, The Bold Dining Chair seamlessly blends form and function, elevating any dining experience with its refined elegance. Decades of design ...
Category

2010s Italian Modern Chairs

Materials

Velvet

Upholstered Walnut Corktown Stool Counter by Hollis & Morris
Located in Geneve, CH
Upholstered walnut cork town stool by Hollis & Morris Dimensions: Seat diameter 13" Base 12.5" x 14.5" x height 25.5" Materials: Solid wood. Cold rolled steel. Fabric. Also available...
Category

2010s Canadian Modern Chairs

Materials

Steel

21st Century Kivu Chair in Leather by Roberto Cavalli Home Interiors
Located in Cantù, Lombardia
A slim and essential design for the Kivu chair. The thin metal armrest that rotates around the structure is characterized by a particular bush-hammered finish that lends a rough and ...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Chairs

Materials

Wood, Leather

Bold Dining Chair - Karakorum 003
Located in Milano, Lombardia
A testament to a new level of modern design, The Bold Dining Chair seamlessly blends form and function, elevating any dining experience with its refined elegance. Decades of design ...
Category

2010s Italian Modern Chairs

Materials

Bouclé

Bold Armchair - Azimut 101
Located in Milano, Lombardia
A testament to a new level of modern design, The Bold Dining Chair seamlessly blends form and function, elevating any dining experience with its refined elegance. Decades of design ...
Category

2010s Italian Modern Chairs

Materials

Velvet

Set of 2 Kartell Victoria Ghost Chairs in Powder Blue by Philippe Starck
Located in Brooklyn, NY
This is a chair born of Classic lines with a rounded backrest that recalls the shape of antique medallions, whilst the seat is linear and geometric. Victoria ghost...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Chairs

Materials

Plastic

Lula Chair, Ivory Bouclé & Natural Wood Chair by Christian Siriano
Located in New York, NY
Made to order bouclé and wood chair designed by Christian Siriano. Base: Natural Maple Fabric for seat/back cushion: Ivory Bouclé Meas...
Category

2010s American Modern Chairs

Materials

Bouclé, Maple

4 Contemporary Studio Tecnico Interna8 2x Chairs Wood Fabric
Located in Pordenone, IT
Chair in solid beech wood. Seat with webbing and plywood frame padded with elastic expanded polyurethane. This listing is for 2 chairs.      
Category

2010s Italian Modern Chairs

Materials

Wood

Curve Bench Brodie Neill Contemporary Natural Cedar Made in Italy Riva 1920
Located in Cantù, IT
Bench in a single block of scented cedar. Distinguished by its arched shape below the seat that exalts the wood grains and the shades of the natural cedar.
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Chairs

Materials

Wood, Cedar

Set of 8 Dining Chair Available in COM
Located in New York, NY
This minimalist dining chair exemplifies modern sophistication and comfort. It features a fully upholstered design, providing a seamless, elegant look that harmoniously blends with c...
Category

2010s Portuguese Modern Chairs

Materials

Wood, Upholstery

INVICTA II dining chair in white boucle and brass rear leg
Located in Frazão, Porto
The INVICTA II dining chair has an exclusive and impressive design, with just one leg in the back, it brings shophistication to your decoration...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Chairs

Materials

Brass, Stainless Steel, Nickel

Contemporary Vegas Sofa upholstered in Mark Alexander Velvet with walnut legs
Located in Trowbridge, Wiltshire
The Vegas Sofa, features a pronounced high back and sweeping curved arms. This special edition is upholstered in Mark Alexander Empire II velvet, colour Otter, with legs in natural o...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary English Modern Chairs

Materials

Walnut, Velvet

MARLON dining chair
Located in Frazão, Porto
The impressive design of the MARLON chair was thought to accommodate and comfort you, thanks to its enveloping shape. The bold design finds balance in the relaxing, immersive seating...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Chairs

Materials

Leather, Fabric, Faux Leather, Wood

De Sede DS-2100/156 Chair in Green Upholstery by De Sede Design Team
Located in Brooklyn, NY
The slats on DS-2100 in finest leather adapt to individual body contours and provide – with its embracing feeling – the highest level of comfort. Available as a low-backed, visitor swivel chair, a high-backed executive chair, with headrest, tilt mechanism, height adjustment and casters, and as a visitor chair with a four-star base. Be it in James Bond films or in “Men in Black...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Swiss Modern Chairs

Materials

Leather

Contemporary Vertere Stool in Oiled Walnut with White Leather Seat Pad
Located in Trowbridge, Wiltshire
Turned from solid timber, the Vertere projects an exaggerated sculptural silhouette fully accentuating the stunning beauty of walnut. Our recommendation is an oiled finish to bring o...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary English Modern Chairs

Materials

Walnut

Sling Hanging Swing Chair Genuine Brown Leather 21st Century Modern
Located in Johannesburg, ZA
Stripped away from all excess, this hanging chair has a circular frame with a sheet of natural thick leather hanging loose within it, to create a sleek, sexy, and oh so comfortable e...
Category

2010s South African Modern Chairs

Materials

Steel

Modern De Castro Dining Chair, Dark Blue, Velvet Handmade Portugal by Greenapple
Located in Lisboa, PT
De Castro Chair, Modern Collection, Handcrafted in Portugal - Europe by GF Modern. The De Castro dining chair is a tribute to one of the most remarkable Portuguese love stories, cel...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Chairs

Materials

Leather, Velvet, Ebony, Beech

Modern Margot Dining Chair, Brown Leather Camel, Handmade Portugal by Greenapple
Located in Lisboa, PT
Margot Chair, Modern Collection, Handcrafted in Portugal - Europe by GF Modern. The Margot leather dining chair stands as a contemporary piece that redefines the standards of modern...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Chairs

Materials

Leather, Beech, Velvet, Bouclé, Fabric

Arflex Botolo Chair in Heidi Fabric by Cini Boeri
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Botolo Chair is designed by Cini Boeri for Arflex. An innovative upholstered rolling chair with three large tubular legs. Botolo is an ideal place to sit,...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Chairs

Materials

Metal

Roly Poly Armchair in Concrete without cushion by Faye Toogood for Driade
Located in Brooklyn, NY
The distinctive, reassuringly chunky lines of Faye Toogood’s Roly-Poly furniture collection become even more inviting in her new collaboration with Driade. The latest line for the It...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Chairs

Materials

Plastic

21st Century Iranja Armchair in Jacquard by Roberto Cavalli Home Interiors
Located in Cantù, Lombardia
Iranja is a small armchair with compact proportions and a captivating geometric design. The cushion covered in animalier fabric makes the seat comfortable while enriching the decorat...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Chairs

Materials

Foam, Fabric, Wood

Modern Margot Dining Chairs, Black Leather Grey, Handmade Portugal by Greenapple
Located in Lisboa, PT
Margot Chair, Modern Collection, Handcrafted in Portugal - Europe by GF Modern. The Margot leather dining chair stands as a contemporary piece that redefines the standards of modern...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Chairs

Materials

Beech, Leather, Velvet, Bouclé, Fabric

chair art. Ines in green leather for living room or restaurant, confortable
Located in MARANO VICENTINO, IT
The chair Ines is the excellent italian manufactures. The frame in solid wood is curved by hand and work with skill. Painted color walnut or oak. The padding is soft ,comfortable and...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Chairs

Materials

Leather, Wood

21st Century Key West Chair in Silk Satin by Roberto Cavalli Home Interiors
Located in Cantù, Lombardia
Appealing design and vintage lines for the Key West chair. Featuring sinuous and rounded shapes, it boasts an enveloping back with gold finishing and a comfortable seat upholstered w...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Chairs

Materials

Fabric, Wood

GTV Thonet Postsparkasse Chair in Black and Aluminium by Otto Wagner
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Extreme shape synthesis. Minimalism, exclusivity and an eye for detail. The “Postsparkasse” series was designed in 1906 by Otto Wagner for the headquarters of the Post Office Savings...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Austrian Modern Chairs

Materials

Wood

Contemporary Chair in Solid Wood, Upholstered in Leather or Textiles
Located in Vila Cordeiro, São Paulo
Dry chair collection. The Dry chair concept is to work in a mixture of distinct references resulting in a modern classic in a dance between the retro and the modern. A heavy and i...
Category

2010s Brazilian Modern Chairs

Materials

Leather, Textile, Upholstery, Laminate, Hardwood

Marlen Chair, pink, indoor, chair, made in italy, home, contract
Located in MARANO VICENTINO, IT
Comfort, an ergonomic shape and a hardy structure are the characteristics of the Marlen design, the new Trabà chair designed by EP Studio. Hints of a 1950s vibe can be glimpsed in t...
Category

2010s Italian Modern Chairs

Materials

Metal

Hayche Dulwich with Armrest - Blue, UK, Made to Order
Located in Liverpool, GB
Elevating the classic Dulwich design with the addition of armrests, this Dulwich chair with armrests offers enhanced comfort and support without compromising its timeless appeal. The...
Category

2010s European Modern Chairs

Materials

Metal

Hayche Dulwich with Armrest - Brown, UK, Made to Order
Located in Liverpool, GB
Elevating the classic Dulwich design with the addition of armrests, this Dulwich chair with armrests offers enhanced comfort and support without compromising its timeless appeal. The...
Category

2010s European Modern Chairs

Materials

Metal

Hayche Dulwich with Armrest - Black, UK, Made to Order
Located in Liverpool, GB
Elevating the classic Dulwich design with the addition of armrests, this Dulwich chair with armrests offers enhanced comfort and support without compromising its timeless appeal. The...
Category

2010s European Modern Chairs

Materials

Metal

INVICTA II dining chair with brass rear leg
Located in Frazão, Porto
The INVICTA II dining chair has an exclusive and impressive design, with just one leg in the back, it brings sophistication to all dining room....
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Chairs

Materials

Brass, Iron, Stainless Steel

Hayche Dulwich with Armrest - Green, UK, Made to Order
Located in Liverpool, GB
Elevating the classic Dulwich design with the addition of armrests, this Dulwich chair with armrests offers enhanced comfort and support without compromising its timeless appeal. The...
Category

2010s European Modern Chairs

Materials

Metal

Hayche Dulwich with Armrest - Red, UK, Made to Order
Located in Liverpool, GB
Elevating the classic Dulwich design with the addition of armrests, this Dulwich chair with armrests offers enhanced comfort and support without compromising its timeless appeal. The...
Category

2010s European Modern Chairs

Materials

Metal

Chair in Black Ashwood and Black Leather Molteni&C by Tobia Scarpa - Miss
Located in New York, NY
Miss Chair in Black Ashwood and Black Leather by Afra and Tobia Scarpa. Expert-crafted in Italy exclusively by Molteni&C. Husband and wife powerhouse desi...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Chairs

Materials

Ash, Leather

Bondi Stackable Dining Chair in Ashwood
By Fräg Woodall, Please Wait to be Seated
Located in Brooklyn, NY
Please Wait to be Seated Bondi chair is inspired by designer Frag Woodall's earliest memories of watching artisans at work, fascinated by the way they joined and fitted timber. The s...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Danish Modern Chairs

Materials

Wood

Hayche Dulwich with Armrest - Grey, UK, Made to Order
Located in Liverpool, GB
Elevating the classic Dulwich design with the addition of armrests, this Dulwich chair with armrests offers enhanced comfort and support without compromising its timeless appeal. The...
Category

2010s European Modern Chairs

Materials

Metal

21st Century Bare Chair in Fabric col. Bean by Etro Home Interiors
Located in Cantù, Lombardia
Comfortable as an armchair, Bare chair stands out for its retro lines and enveloping backrest, upholstered with Etro Home Interiors iconic fabrics. The chair features a fir wood stru...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Chairs

Materials

Fabric, Wood

Gebrüder Thonet Vienna GmbH Wiener Stuhl Chair in Curry Yellow & Fabric Seating
Located in Brooklyn, NY
A simplified design to create an elegant, comfortable, popular item”. The structure has an all-embracing simplicity, and is formed from just a few elements in steam bent solid beech....
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Austrian Modern Chairs

Materials

Wood

Minimalist Organic Chair in Solid Wood, Upholstered Seating
Located in Vila Cordeiro, São Paulo
THE COLLANA SERIES – WHERE ARTISTRY MEETS COMFORT IN EVERY CURVE." Introducing the Collana Chairs, Armchairs and ottomans Collection, a testament to the...
Category

2010s Brazilian Modern Chairs

Materials

Leather, Textile, Upholstery, Fiberglass, Hardwood

Modern Black Green Gray White Orange Pink Red Purple or Blue Rabbit Accent Chair
Located in Origgio (VA), IT
Rabbit is a family of products with a strong media impact, one of Stefano Giovannoni's hat tricks, and immediately became a pop icon, a symbol of love and fertility, which brings goo...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Italian Modern Chairs

Materials

Plastic

Modern Dining Chair in Exotic Wood and Sheepskin from Costantini, Luca Ovino
Located in New York, NY
Luca Ovino Modern Dining Chair in Exotic Wood and Sheepskin from Costantini The Luca Chair’s gently curved, high back exudes elegance and has become one of...
Category

2010s Argentine Modern Chairs

Materials

Sheepskin, Wood

Riccardo Blumer Alias 301 Laleggera 50xStacking Maple Chairs with steel trolleys
Located in London, GB
42 x Ricardo Blumer for Alias 301 Laleggera model '301' lightweight stacking chairs, all priced individually. There are 5 x steel trolleys available se...
Category

Early 2000s European Modern Chairs

Materials

Birch

Contemporary Dining Chair Offered in Velvet
By Munna Design Studio
Located in New York, NY
This dining chair redefines the need for curves in an interior. As playful as it is graceful, its superbly detailed segments in the front and reverse provide a plateau where the seat...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Portuguese Modern Chairs

Materials

Velvet, Wood

e15 Customizable ELBE III Bench by Marguerre, Besau and Schöning
By Eva Marguerre, Marcel Besau and Daniel Schöning, e15
Located in New York, NY
Originally conceived for concert hall Elbphilharmonie by Herzog & de Meuron architects, bench ELBE III is focussed on essential forms that allow for classic references. The removable...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary German Modern Chairs

Materials

Wood, Textile

Modern chairs for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a broad range of unique Modern chairs for sale on 1stDibs. Many of these items were first offered in the 21st Century and Contemporary, but contemporary artisans have continued to produce works inspired by this style. If you’re looking to add vintage chairs created in this style to your space, the works available on 1stDibs include seating, building and garden elements, more furniture and collectibles and other home furnishings, frequently crafted with wood, fabric and other materials. If you’re shopping for used Modern chairs made in a specific country, there are Europe, Italy, and Scandinavia pieces for sale on 1stDibs. While there are many designers and brands associated with original chairs, popular names associated with this style include Finn Juhl, Jover + Valls, Emeco, and Kartell. It’s true that these talented designers have at times inspired knockoffs, but our experienced specialists have partnered with only top vetted sellers to offer authentic pieces that come with a buyer protection guarantee. Prices for chairs differ depending upon multiple factors, including designer, materials, construction methods, condition and provenance. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $25 and tops out at $103,950 while the average work can sell for $2,723.

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